Westwood FBLA attends leadership development institute workshop

Thirteen students from Westwood High went to Santa Clara Oct. 18 to Oct. 21 for the Northern Section Leadership Development Institute, sponsored by Future Business Leaders of America, to participate in workshops on how to be successful business leaders.

Cecilia Allin, FBLA advisor, said that grant money had been obtained to cover the costs of the trip as well as the purchase of business attire for the participating students. This information was reported to the board of trustees for the Westwood Unified School District at their October meeting before they voted to approve the trip.

FBLA is the largest business student organization in the world. The concept for this organization was developed in 1937. Their mission statement reads: “FBLA inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.”

According to the FBLA website, members of this organization develop skills by holding chapter officer positions at the local, state and national levels; by networking with business professionals; and participating in business focused workshops, seminars and academic competitions.

Students at Westwood High have not participated in FBLA in recent years although it was one of the extracurricular activities offered in the past. This year it was reinstated. Allin teaches intro to business and accounting in addition to English, history, economics and drama.

While students were in Santa Clara they attended Fright Nights at Great America.